Los Angeles Chargers’ await decision on team’s starting kicker

The Chargers’ kicking carousel hasn’t made national headlines like it did in 2017. But they are left with a decision to make this week by choosing who will start Week 9 against the Seahawks as their starting kicker.

The three options are to cut Caleb Sturgis and let Michael Badgley remain the starting kicker, cut Badgley and assume Sturgis will be 100 percent, or continue carrying two kickers on the roster, which seems like a mistake.

Badgley once again got the start in Sunday’s 20-19 win over the Titans with Sturgis nursing a quad injury, converting on all four of his opportunities. Badgley made both of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point attempts.

Going 3-for-3 on field goals and 7-for-7 on extra points in two games isn’t anything to be excited about, but given the team’s struggle at the position, any sign of near perfection is worth acknowledging.

The only issue with Badgley moving forward as the starting kicker is the fact that he has shown the inability to kick the ball in the end zone, allowing opposing team’s an opportunity to return for extra yardage. His leg strength is questionable, but we know the accuracy is there.

The problem with Sturgis getting his job back is the exact opposite of Badgley. Sturgis has been very inconsistent. He has gone one game out of five without a miss on the season. He’s converted nine of 12 field goals and 8 of 12 extra points.

The decision will come down to what the coaching staff values more and who they can trust with the duties going forward.